Title: The Interview (Part 5b)Author: nouveau_mondayPairing: Noah/LukeRating: RWord Count: 2.7kishSummary: Back at the scene of the crime, as it were.Spoilers: This is completely AU for the boys. So yeah, any relation to the story line is minor. Facts I kept were the Colonel, Noah's mom, and Oakdale. Other characters resemble themselves, but everyone, by definition is not quite him/her self.Disclaimer: As I said, this is AU. The characters belong to CBS and P&G and possibly others, but definitely not me. That is the real travesty of all of this.Notes: This part had no beta. All mistakes are mine and mine alone.

Luke knows his way up the cold, hard stairs that lead to the flickering light that reminds him of a hotel in a cheap horror movie. His pulse beats loud and fast in his ears. "Are you sure about this? I can," he gestures back toward the stairs. "Can wait, somewhere? Meet you back at Java?" His hand goes instinctively to his back pocket. Luke isn't sure when he started carrying a ridiculous amount of extra cash, but it burns a hole into his skin as he knows he's about to revisit where it first all went down.

"It's fine. I need my backpack and some other stuff for later." Noah stops at his door. "If it'd be easier. I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I don't know if this helps, but I, well, the only client who's ever been here is you. I don't bring tricks here, don't want strangers to know where I live."

The door swings open. Noah enters, but Luke can't get his feet to move. "Never?" his voice breaks.

"Nope. Never. Regardless of what I may have told you before. It's safer that way. Keeps boundaries where they should be. My regulars book rooms or have hideaways." Luke admires Noah's ass, tries to control his desire to tip Noah over the sofa and dive into him. "Ha! Found it! Knew I wasn't out of warming gel." Noah stands up, holds the bottle tight, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Warming gel? What's that - oh." Luke stares at the plastic bottle more carefully and understands. "Probably important in this weather, huh?" He shifts on his ankles.

"It certainly can't hurt. Usually gets me a decent tip or some repeaters, at least. And repeaters usually tip better or want more services in the long run. So that works best for me." Noah looks at the bottle, tucks it into the front of his backpack.

"That makes sense. I guess." Luke rests his hand on his stomach to stop the hollow ache. "have you been making enough? I mean, do you get enough jobs in this weather?"

Noah sits on his bed, pats at the spot next to him. "If people want it, they're gonna get it. I provide a commodity, no different from Roth really."

Luke steps closer to the bed. Noah's wrong, but how can he explain that? Roth sells coffee, not his body. "Is it bad if I don't like it?" He chews at his lip, doesn't want to hear the answer.

"Not bad, no. As long as you don't give me some lame song and dance about finding different work. Minimum wage doesn't actually let a person survive in a college town." Noah pats the spot next to him again. "Sit down, Luke. We've got a few minutes."

"I know Oakdale isn't the cheapest place. And I'd be lying if I said I was sad you showed up." He unwraps his scarf, takes the offered place next to Noah. "If it's so expensive, why'd you come here? I know I asked earlier, but I still want to know. Surely there's better business to be had elsewhere?"

Noah rests his palm on Luke's leg. "Better business or locations doesn't always mean anything. Right now I'm trying to figure some things out. This is where those things have brought me."

"I know almost everyone in Oakdale. Do you need to meet anyone? Interview anyone?"

Noah grins. "You're cute, Ace. I'll give you that." He presses his lips together, seems to chose his words carefully. "I'm supposed to be gone at the end of the month. Thought leaving might be the better part of valor after, well, after the interview. If I'm not having any luck finding what I need, I might just hit you up for that." He leans his head against Luke's shoulder.

Luke's grip tightens. "You're leaving?"

*****

"Supposed to. Told my landlord not to rent the room yet, because I'd like the option to continue, but, yeah, you're right about the weather and I've been too distracted to get what I need." Noah cringes at his own head games.. Why tell Luke he's leaving when he already paid the next month's rent?

"But, I mean, I thought..."

Noah slips his hand from Luke's, raises it to his bicep. "You thought what, Luke?" He lets his eyes focus on the man next to him, studies the flush on his cheeks and the perfect dip of his upper lip that cries out to be kissed. He knows what he wants Luke to say, but isn't sure he's willing to hear it.

"I guess I thought that maybe whatever this might be, that it wasn't just a one week stand or whatever. I can't imagine you not being around." Luke turns his face to face the far wall. "Guess that's one of those reasons to think of me as a kid. I am too fucking naive for my own good."

"You're not naive. I'm sorry I ever said anything like that." Noah slips his hand to Luke's chin, turns his face to look at Noah's. "Okay, so yeah, you're not, not as experienced in the ways the world can suck as I am. That's not a crime, Luke. It's a blessing. Promise." He gives in to the urge he's had since he saw Luke at Java's first thing in the morning and kisses his forehead. One kiss leads to several as he peppers Luke's temples, his eyelids, his nose with gentle touches of his mouth. "I don't want you to feel obligated, don't want anyone to feel like they owe me a thing. You especially."

Luke's voice is needy as Noah's name spills across his lips. He shudders a little, draws his hands up to clutch at Noah's hips, his skin. "I don't, I mean, you don't, I mean, there shouldn't be anyone owing anybody anything. I don't want that."

Noah's body shivers at the heat from Luke's fingers under his shirt. "Everyone has an agenda. It's okay if you have one as well. I don't mind. I have one. Since August when I decided to move, I've had one. I came to Oakdale with an agenda." He mouths at Luke's jaw. "Just didn't expect it to change, or grow a second head or whatever."

Luke runs his hands up and down Noah's spine, settles on the tattoo on his lower back. "But you're still leaving?"

"Maybe." He leans into Luke's hands, purrs at the caress. I'm not sure yet. I didn't really see a reason to stick around that wouldn't wind up hurting. Even my original reason sorta seems bad right now."

"But you don't want to talk about this right now, do you?" Luke shifts his head giving Noah better access.

"Not especially."

"What do you want?"

Noah pulls back. He's not going to tell Luke what he really wants. There are some things he's just not ready to share. But he pauses, because a client has never asked him what he wants, and while objectively Noah knows Luke is no longer a client, he's still not used to declaring his own needs. "Oh, umm. Well." The heat rises up his neck, across his face. "Kissing is nice. I don't kiss a lot, y'know? Most people aren't willing to spend the extra money, and they really just want my mouth somewhere else anyway."

*****

"That's ... Noah, that's so sad." Luke's heart hurts a little bit. He doesn't always know what he wants, but he at least knows that he can want. And not kissing Noah? That is a crime.

Noah shrugs. "Life goes on. Kissing gives a weird sense of intimacy. Most jobs don't want that." He pulls his hands through Luke's hair, tucks back an errant lock. "You were clearly not going to be most jobs."

"You think, maybe," Luke whispers. "Maybe I'm no longer a job?' He wants to kick himself the moment the words exit his mouth, wants to take them back. "You know what? You don't have to answer that, actually. I'm not sure I want to know, or have to know, or whatever. It's really obnoxious of me to ask. And I don't want to screw you out of money or anything." He bites his lip and wishes he could shut up. "I can pay, if you want me to? It may be dumb, but ever since that night, I've been carrying extra cash on me. Didn't know if you'd let me near you again, but wanted to be prepared just in case." He tightened his hands against Noah, hoped against hope that he wouldn't need to use his cash.

"I don't want your money, Luke. Seeing you was never about that. I didn't expect to wind up with a job when I agreed to the interview. I wanted to spend time with you." Noah shivers. "Still do. I'm not going to lie and say I might not be gone at the end of the month, but I'm here now. And so are you."

Luke appreciates the effect he has on Noah, likes the sense of power. "I am here. And you're far too dressed. I can take you to WOAK in awhile, but I believe I'm going to explore your jewelry first. That is, if you'll let me?"

"I think I'd like that." Noah shrugged off his jacket. "Umm, should I just, that is, how naked do you want me?"

"Oh god, Noah. You can't ask a question like that to me. You're so fucking hot. I want you completely naked. I've been jerking off to visions of you since you kicked me out." Luke peels Noah's shirt off his body, pulls it over his head. His mouth dries. His dick throbs. "Fuck."

"Is that bad?"

"No. Oh no. Definitely not bad. The new beads. Jesus." His fingers shake as they rest below Noah's nipples. "Can I?" He gestures with his head at his hands.

"Yes." Noah shifts back, falls against his pillows.

Luke moans at Noah's willingness. He straddles Noah's legs and lifts his own shirt off. "We're more or less even clothes-wise. And now I'm going to kiss you." He doesn't know where to start. The buffet of pale skin beneath him almost overwhelms his plans.

Luke begins with a careful lick behind Noah's ear. He grazes his teeth across Noah's earlobe and bites, licks again, but this time down beneath Noah's jaw. "You taste good."

Luke bites at Noah's collarbone, laves his tongue down to a piercing. He sucks the metal into his mouth, tugs sharply. He revels in the tang of metal and flesh, kisses the nipples Noah liked abused. The sharp surge of his hair being pulled acted like a match against gasoline in his blood. He slides himself up the expanse of Noah's chest, so they're skin to skin and god that feels good. He laps at Noah's lips and uses the quiet moan of his partner to slip inside. Their tongues circle around each others as Luke explores Noah's mouth. The sharpness of canines, the smoothness inside and the strong flavor of coffee. He loses himself in the sensual experience of kissing a man who should be practiced in this art, but has admitted he isn't.

*****

Noah pants against the onslaught to his senses. "Holy shit," he gasps. "Jesus."

"This is alright?"

"More than alright." He clutches Luke to him and sucks his tongue into his mouth. The flavor of Luke bursts on his tongue, sweet and creamy with the sharp tang of coffee and innocence underneath. Noah doesn't know what he's doing exactly, but he knows how to give head. You use your tongue either way, so he's confident at least in his ability to work his tongue.

He isn't prepared for the sensation of the heat of Luke's chest, or the gentle persistence of Luke's hands against his sides. Doesn't know how to respond to warm petting and lazy movements that weren't prep for sex. He breathes in the experience of Luke focused on him, giving in to a memory he thought he would never get to re-experience.

Noah tugs at Luke's body, shifts him to lay on top of Noah, lining their cocks up through their jeans. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." The jut of his cock against Luke's hip, and Luke's cock against his hip have Noah seeing stars. "So hot. So hot. Didn't know it could be like this." He shakes his head, thrusts up for more sensation. "Didn't ever want it to be like this."

Luke fingers Noah's jewelry with one hand, sticks the other under Noah's back, curls his fingers up and around his shoulder. "I'm not really fifteen, even if I'm about to come in my pants like I am."

"I'm not fifteen, and I've been hooking since I wasn't much older and I'm about to do the same, so I wouldn't worry. Just kiss me, Ace. God." Noah doesn't understand exactly when he lost control of the situation, but with Luke's arms underneath him, holding him like he might break, it's pretty clear control is gone. He thrusts up, enjoys the friction of denim against denim, the knowledge that there is muscle underneath. He hitches his leg around Luke's, drags him in closer. His mouth hovers, unsure, absorbing the soft damp kisses Luke barely breathes. Noah can't get his lungs to work properly, but he's not sure that matters. He sucks at Luke's bottom lip, slides his tongue just inside his mouth.

He's never really had the opportunity to explore someone's mouth slowly. There were kisses - plenty of kisses - shared with Juan, but those always were tinged with impatient urgency. And Juan never tasted anything like the sweetness Luke offered. Juan was sex and sun and desperation, even when things were slow, calmer, they were always rushed. But this? There is no rush, no need, just a slip and slide that Noah wasn't entirely sure he could trust.

"So good," Luke whispers. "Feels so good." He tongues his way down Noah's neck, kisses his way down Noah's check, bites at his abdomen. Luke returns on a different path than he traced down, licks his way in to Noah's mouth.

Noah attempts to keep the panic racing in his body away. It chases through his blood like lightning. His heart pounds suddenly, faster, quicker. "Luke." It's not sexy to be frightened. Not sexy to hear blood rushing in his ear, whiting out his desire. "Luke, you've gotta..." He pushes at Luke, harder than he means to, harder than he wants. "Please, let go of me."

Luke rolls off Noah.

Noah aches to grab him, curl himself into strong arms, into this weird sense of safety that has his equilibrium thrown off.

"What's wrong? Did I?" Luke wipes at his mouth, stares at his fingers. "Did I hurt you?"

Noah shakes his head back and forth, tucks his knees up toward his chin, wraps his arms around his legs. "Couldn't catch my breath." He gasps for emphasis. "Dizzy." The world spins a little. He can't find his balance.

"Oh." Luke moves closer. "I'm going to put my hand on your back and rub, okay. Follow my hand, try to breathe with me." He puts his hand on Noah's back, up and down, as he counts. Noah coughs, tries to follow Luke's lead. "There you go. One two three. Four five six. It's alright, Noah. You're okay."

Something about Luke's words, about the soothing tone. Noah believes he could be okay, that things might be alright. He leans into Luke's arms, lets them both envelope him. "I'm sorry."

A little unsure when Luke had the cash, because Noah (and me) really doesn’t want this relationship to be transactional. But you really turn it around, because when they discuss it they both admit that what they want, which I know has to be very difficult for the both of them.

But I like how Noah seems to hedge, telling Luke that he’s leaving, letting Luke think that he’ll be gone sooner than later. I feel like he’s testing Luke and Luke’s response, was pretty good. And I love how Luke automatically offers to help use his “reporter” skills.

I loved that kissing, because as Noah said, it’s so much more intimate, and that really shows how much Noah wants Luke and wants more than the “job” connection, because of that intimacy. It was sweet and then when Noah panicked, my heart constricted. There is an innocence in them making out on the couch and Noah can’t do innocent. But where is Luke? Right there with him, helping him, comforting him.

Complete brilliance? This line: The buffet of pale skin beneath him almost overwhelms his plans.

*blushes* thank you. i'm not overwhelmed by gushing. i love it, truly. i just never know how to respond, especially, as I'm sure I've said before, when it's written by people who have such talent (like you do).

I'd like to think that Luke may understand why Noah's freaking, even if Noah isn't fully cognizant of it himself yet.

*smiles* i liked the pale skin line as well. I'm pleased it resonated with others.

I loved this installment, it was so intimate and very sexy! Noah letting Luke think he is going to leave to gauge his reaction is brilliant and so something you do when you are crushing on someone. Luke asking Noah if he still thinks of him as a clinet but not waiting for the answer is also too cute. I love that they are both afraid to just come right out and ask about each others feelings on where this is going. I can't wait for what is to come because I really like the direction it is going.

There’s so much that I love about this part. It’s filled with so much emotion and new feelings that I can’t even handle, so it’s no wonder why Noah was freaking out himself. I think that the buildup played out really well, all of those feelings and sensations surging at once. It was just awesome. I’m glad that Noah put out the possibility of his leaving to see how Luke would react. It’s a little bit of deception but I hope it gave him a little bit of security to know that Luke cares. Umm…let’s see…the making out? WAS FREAKING BRILLANT!!! I honestly don’t think I’ve read anything that made making out so hot. It was just great and I loved their perspectives of it. The ending was beautiful. Luke comforting Noah was amazing because there’s just so much there. The way that they care for each other and how this is new to them both gets me every single time. Fantastic installment!

I love how this little story was born of a prompt from a comment!fic and now we have this stunning, multi-layered tale being woven. Really, how fucking cool is that?

So part B was gorgeous and in some ways unexpected, for me at least. First, I loved how they are still side stepping a little. I loved the detail of Luke carrying around money and Noah letting him believe that perhaps he is leaving. The uncertainty in the beginning was nicely juxtaposed with Noah having Luke sit down near him. I dunno - that little scene with him patting the bed, motioning for him to join him against both boys figuring stuff out I really liked. And I LOVED Luke asking Noah what he wanted.

This: "Kissing is nice. I don't kiss a lot, y'know? Most people aren't willing to spend the extra money, and they really just want my mouth somewhere else anyway."

Seriously broke my heart. But it was also the unexpected part, the fact that he told Luke what he wanted. Which was me getting all smiley at him letting himself go a little.

I also loved the buffet line that has been mentioned but this was my fav, part:

Luke bites at Noah's collarbone, laves his tongue down to a piercing. He sucks the metal into his mouth, tugs sharply. He revels in the tang of metal and flesh, kisses the nipples Noah liked abused. The sharp surge of his hair being pulled acted like a match against gasoline in his blood. He slides himself up the expanse of Noah's chest, so they're skin to skin and god that feels good. He laps at Noah's lips and uses the quiet moan of his partner to slip inside. Their tongues circle around each others as Luke explores Noah's mouth. The sharpness of canines, the smoothness inside and the strong flavor of coffee. He loses himself in the sensual experience of kissing a man who should be practiced in this art, but has admitted he isn't.

And I quoted the whole thing because I adored every single damn line. The imagery was lovely and it just got to me.

And Juan never tasted anything like the sweetness Luke offered. Juan was sex and sun and desperation, even when things were slow, calmer, they were always rushed. But this? There is no rush, no need, just a slip and slide that Noah wasn't entirely sure he could trust.

Yea! for peppering in more Juan. And loved the differences that Noah feels about them.

Also I smiled at the 15 stuff and I do love how Noah let himself fall into the kiss and experience it and then pull back. But this time he lets Luke stay. I'm also in awe how you managed to pull so much into that insanely hot kiss. Just loves it all. *many many kisses to you*

P.S. Also I'm ridiculously enthralled with the fact that Luke seems to have a fetish for Noah's piercings. *grins*

I love how this little story was born of a prompt from a comment!fic and now we have this stunning, multi-layered tale being woven. Really, how fucking cool is that?

My rentboy fic came from that same prompt from Monday, only she and I went in very different directions with ours, and I agree that it's very cool! LOL It's so much fun reading how others interpret the characters, when it's AU. I don't think you're reading mine, though... or maybe you are? It's posted on ZOMG. And ew, how tacky, I just pimped my own fic on someone else's comment thread. Bad Heather. LOL

Monday, I left a message on VH as well but this is just gorgeous. I really really love this whole bit, especially the "like a match against gasoline in his blood". Just genius. The sharp surge of his hair being pulled acted like a match against gasoline in his blood. He slides himself up the expanse of Noah's chest, so they're skin to skin and god that feels good. He laps at Noah's lips and uses the quiet moan of his partner to slip inside. Their tongues circle around each others as Luke explores Noah's mouth. The sharpness of canines, the smoothness inside and the strong flavor of coffee. He loses himself in the sensual experience of kissing a man who should be practiced in this art, but has admitted he isn't.

Also really love the dancing around each other, the slight game playing. Love Luke's honesty and openness about his carrying the money around and being naive. And I love the references to Juan as well. It was done in such a way that I felt for Noah and didn't feel any distraction from the Luke/Noah love. It maybe even adds to it, in the contrasts.

Can I just say how much it broke my heart that Noah doesn't have that much experiencing in kissing because that's not what he's paid to do? fdnajfahdfjkadhfkajfafkjads!

That side, how can you make kissing so HOT? jdfakfhakfjahfdkafhasdf!

You're so fucking hot. I want you completely naked. I've been jerking off to visions of you since you kicked me out."

UM. YOU AND I BOTH, LUKE. dfhafjdaklfaklfahljaflkad!

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." The jut of his cock against Luke's hip, and Luke's cock against his hip have Noah seeing stars. "So hot. So hot. Didn't know it could be like this." He shakes his head, thrusts up for more sensation. "Didn't ever want it to be like this."

NGGGGHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

And *SWOONS*

"So good," Luke whispers. "Feels so good." He tongues his way down Noah's neck, kisses his way down Noah's check, bites at his abdomen. Luke returns on a different path than he traced down, licks his way in to Noah's mouth.

I want this an icon, too. GOD. I WANT ALL YOUR STORIES AS AN ANIMATED ICON TO BE PLAYED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. No fair.

Oh Monday,I swear I don't cry over fan fic (more than a couple of times before) but with this one...well I admit it! The passage that did it...It's a blessing. Promise." He gives in to the urge he's had since he saw Luke at Java's first thing in the morning and kisses his forehead. One kiss leads to several as he peppers Luke's temples, his eyelids, his nose with gentle touches of his mouth.

A forehead kiss, to this silly romantic, is a very intimate and sweet gesture. And for Noah to have done this to Luke was so monumental. The total letting down of his guard is one of the most satisfying things I have read in a Nuke story is a long time.

I'll stop the complete adoration quickly as I don't want to scare the hell out of you! But I adore your writing and your love for these boys.

I waited to read this series until this chapter...wondered how even you could make me love a Rentboy Noah! Well, you did and I totally do!

*giggles* i succeeded in convincing you it can be okay? If you read them all at once, did they flow okay? I haven't sat down really, skimmed them only to do the briefest of fact checking on myself, but that's it.

I've been trying to mix hot with sweet to show the disparity between those in Noah's world. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it.

the elevator boys are currently on hold again. Noah's on his way to buy a new cell and Luke's home in his appointment debating stabbing his eyes out because he's just a mess.

It's good the kissing worked for you, as i wrote it with you in mind. That's a comfort. You were the one who suggested them making out after all. (btw, i had no idea noah was going to have that panic attack. shocked the hell out of me.)

I miss you terribly, dearling. I hope that things are calmed down enough that i can inundate you with beta work. also? did you pick a hayloft prompt or seven yet? *pokes*

and, and, and??? Did you read what ithilien22 posted to the hayloft? Her fisting story! which, holy fuck! so good.

Wanted to de-lurk and compliment you on your writing - not just this story but all of them. Hell, I did not expect to like a rentboy story but you've made me a believer.

I started watching ATWT in the last few months after hearing of Luke and Noah's story, it blew me away and I devoted like 2 weeks of my life to YouTube. Now I'm devouring fanfic. Yours is excellent. Looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing.

*blushes* thank you so much. I'd never written fanfic before i started with this fandom, and I'm having so much fun. I love sharing it with others. And as a permanent lurker, I really appreciate you delurking. *smooches*

I just got around to reading all of this fic, and all I can say is that this is brilliant. So well written, so fantastic. I love it.

The flavor of Luke bursts on his tongue, sweet and creamy with the sharp tang of coffee and innocence underneath.

This line is one of the most amazingly written lines I have ever read. I don't even know why, but when I read it, it just struck me. It's beautiful and full of images and the essence it presents is just amazing.